Family praised after ‘cowardly’ killing of partially-blind man

A TEENAGER has been jailed for 10 years for the manslaughter of a partially blind man whom he killed in a cowardly attack, police said.

Jordan Flattery, 19, knifed Graham Snowden during a minor scuffle at a house belonging to a mutual friend in Milestone Road, Hertfordshire, in the early hours of January 8.

A spokeswoman for Hertfordshire Police said Mr Snowden, a 36-year-old father of two, was stabbed twice – suffering a fatal blow to his chest.

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Croydon Crown Court heard Mr Snowden, who suffered from mobility issues and was partially sighted after a car crash a few years ago, had earlier tried to get up from a sofa before Flattery pushed him down twice, the spokeswoman said.

A confrontation took place between them and they were asked to leave the house where a party was being held.

As they were leaving a further altercation took place in the hallway where Flattery produced a knife and stabbed Mr Snowden twice, once through his arm as he defended himself and then again to his chest.

Flattery, of West Close in Hitchin, Herts, was arrested on January 10 and charged with the killing.

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He denied the manslaughter of Mr Snowden, of Station Road in Lower Stondon, but following a trial was convicted by a jury on July 13.

Detective Inspector Neil Langford, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “Firstly, our thoughts remain with the family of Graham Snowden who have shown incredible bravery throughout this process.

“Our thoughts remain with them through what continues to be an extremely difficult time for them.

“The actions of Jordan Flattery on January 8 were cowardly – he took a man’s life and then fled from the scene.

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“He deliberately carried a knife on him prior to this incident and this should act as a warning to those who commit such an offence, that you will be caught and dealt with.

“The sentence passed on him cannot bring Graham back but I hope it offers some closure to 
his family, who continue to live with the legacy the actions of Flattery have left behind from that night.”

After the sentencing, Mr Snowden’s family paid tribute to the “kind and dedicated family man” who leaves behind two daughters – Élise 14, and Alana, 8.

They said in a statement released through Hertfordshire Police: “Our world ended in the early hours of January 8 this year when our beloved Graham had his life cruelly taken from him.

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“Today, the court has sentenced Jordan Flattery to 10 years in custody after he was found guilty of the manslaughter of Graham, but it is us, Graham’s family, who continue to serve a life sentence, as no sentence passed today can ever bring him back.”

They described Mr Snowden, who was known as Snowy, as a fighter, who overcame the injuries he sustained in the car crash and had fought for an hour to stay alive after the attack, because “he did not want to leave this world as he had so much to live for”.

They added: “Graham was the life and soul of a party he was always cracking jokes and had a wicked sense of humour. He loved the company of other people and did not like being on his own, he had many friends and was very popular because of his bubbly personality.

“A home which was once filled with his laughter is now shrouded with a deafening silence.

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“We miss him more with each day that passes and although a sentence has been passed today we will live with the legacy of the actions of Jordan Flattery, and will never have an answer as to why Graham had his life so cruelly taken from him.

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